Image: The Hindu
BRS slams Telangana's 2026-27 budget as deeply disappointing, failing to meet the needs of any sector. What’s next for the Congress government?
GlipzoOn March 20, 2026, the Telangana Assembly witnessed a wave of criticism following the presentation of the 2026-27 budget by Deputy Chief Minister and Finance Minister M. Bhatti Vikramarka. The Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) expressed profound disappointment, declaring that the budget fails to address the needs of any sector or community. The sentiments were articulated by T. Harish Rao, the BRS Deputy Floor Leader, who condemned the budget as lacking vision and failing to uphold the Congress government’s pre-poll promises.
“The Congress Government has buried its Six Guarantees forever without making proper allocations to any of its components,” Rao stated, emphasizing the government's neglect of the very promises that secured their electoral victory. In his view, the budget represents a betrayal of the electorate, leaving them with empty-handed assurances rather than actionable commitments.
The BRS leader further pointed out that even notable schemes associated with prominent Congress leaders, like Indiramma Aatmeeya Bharosa and Rajiv Yuva Vikasam, received inadequate funding. For instance, allocations made in previous years for these initiatives have largely gone unspent, leading to skepticism about the government’s fiscal responsibility and commitment to its citizens.
Rao criticized the budget as merely a “jugglery of numbers,” highlighting the ₹3.5 lakh crore in new debt accrued by the Congress government over the past two years without the implementation of any significant development projects.
Another alarming point raised by the BRS was the increase in the Debt-to-GSDP ratio, which has escalated from 27% during BRS governance to 29% now. This surge reflects the government’s ongoing borrowing spree without clear evidence of productive spending or economic growth.
Rao also pointed out the contradictions in the government’s messaging regarding the state’s financial health. While Bhatti claims that Telangana's growth rate surpasses the national average, Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy has made claims suggesting the state’s economy is on the brink of bankruptcy. This conflicting narrative raises questions about the state’s fiscal management and overall governance.
The criticism from the BRS highlights critical concerns regarding transparency and accountability within the Telangana government. As the budgetary allocations fail to meet the populace’s expectations, citizens are left questioning the integrity of their elected officials and the viability of the programs meant to uplift various sectors.
Looking forward, the focus will shift to how the Congress government addresses these criticisms. Will they make adjustments to future budgets to align with the needs of the people? Or will the discontent among constituents deepen, impacting their electoral prospects? As Telangana moves further into the fiscal year, all eyes will be on the government’s next steps to restore confidence among voters.
The upcoming months will be pivotal as the Congress party seeks to rebuild trust with its electorate while the BRS capitalizes on public dissatisfaction. The balance between promises made and promises kept will be crucial in determining the future political climate in Telangana.
As the budgetary fallout continues to unfold, stakeholders from various sectors will be closely monitoring how the government responds to these challenges and whether substantive changes will be enacted to address the growing concerns of the electorate.
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